A 13-year experience with gastric neuroendocrine tumors: A single institute study

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Gastric neuroendocrine tumors (GNETs) are relatively uncommon. Although they frequently follow indolent clinical courses, GNETs have the potential for metastasis. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinicopathological characteristics of GNETs and explore the prognostic factors associated with overall survival of patients with GNETs.METHODS: All patients who underwent resection of GNETs from 2003 to 2016 at St. Vincent's Hospital were identified retrospectively. Demographic data, tumor characteristics, and survival results were evaluated.RESULTS: Of the 32 patients with GNETs, 10 patients (31.3%) had an endoscopic resection and 22 (68.7%) had a surgical resection. In terms of the European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (ENETS) tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) staging systems, three (9.4%), seven (21.9%), five (15.6%), 13 (40.6%), and four patients (12.5%) were classified as stages 0, I, II, III, and IV, respectively. Overall survival differed significantly according to disease stage. Patients with positive symptoms, larger tumor size, and advanced stage had lower survival rates than those with other types.CONCLUSION: ENETS TNM stage is a reliable parameter for assessment of the prognosis of patients with GNETs. Clinical symptoms, tumor size, and TNM stage are associated with survival of patients with GNETs.